Quick mounting bracket for pyrometer air blower on kiln temperature transducer



May 12, 1970 E.B. cooK QUICK MOUNTING BRACKET FOR PYROMETER AIR BLOWER ON KILN TEMPERATURE TRANSDUCER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 28, 1967 m .@w w%\1 (QNN. \%\1 MQQNI bww. NW w\1\. wm, l @v QN H NNN Inl ww www .MN Sn .W\\ NYY.. QNY No, wm u NNN E. B. COOK May 12, 1970 QUICK MOUNT-ING BRACKET FOR PYROMETERAIR BLOWER 0N KILN TEMPERATURE TRANSDUCER v,2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 28, 1967 United States Patent O 3,511,093 QUICK MOUNTING BRACKET FOR PYROME- TER AIR BLOWER ON KILN TEMPERATURE TRANSDUCER Eugene B. Cook, West Allis, Wis., assignor to Allis-Chalmers Manufacturing Company, Milwaukee, Wis. Filed Dec. 28, 1967, Ser. No. 694,331 Int. Cl. G01k 1/14 U.S. Cl. 73-351 6 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A detachable mounting arrangement for the air blower and blower motor associated with a radiation pyrometer mounted on a rotary kiln. A platform is xedly mounted on the outer surface of the kiln shell. The air blower and blower motor are mounted on a detachable support which is so constructed that one end of the detachable support can Ibe hooked over one edge of the xed platform while the opposite end of the detachable support can be latched over the corresponding edge of the platform. The detachable support and the attached air blower and blower motor may be installed on or removed from the xed platform while the kiln is rotating.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the invention This invention relates to temperature measurement in rotary kilns, and more particularly to a quick detachable air blower mounting arrangement for use with a kiln temperature measuring device such as a pyrometer.

Description of the prior art This invention may be considered an improvement on the disclosure of U.S. Pat. 3,345,873 issued to Otto G. Lellep on Oct. 10, 1967, entitled Rotary Kiln Temperature Measurement. In the disclosure of the Lellep patent, a radiation pyrometer is mounted on the outside of the kiln shell in an enlarged section of duct work which connects to an air blower and also a sight hole extending through the kiln shell. The air stream supplied by the blower passes through the duct work into the inside of the kiln and in so doing keeps the sight hole free from processed material, dust, and combustion gases, and, at the same time, protects the pyrometer from becoming overheated. One undesirable feature of the construction shown by the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 3,345,873 is that if the blower or the blower motor becomes inoperative or requires repairs it is necessary to shut down the kiln for the removal of the blowerV and/or the blower motor since these members are rigidly mounted ou the kiln shell. This shutdown `of the kiln is undesirable both from an operating viewpoint and from an economic viewpoint.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a quick mounting or demounting arrangement for the air blower and blower motor associated with a radiation pyrometer used for kiln temperature measurement.

It is another object of the invention to provide a quick mounting and demounting arrangement for a pyrometer air blower and blower motor which permits mounting or demounting of the blower and its associated motor while the kiln continues to operate and without stopping rotation of the kiln.

In achievement of these objectives, there is provided a detachable mounting arrangement for the air blower and blower motor associated with a radiation pyrometer CFI ICC

mounted on a rotary kiln. A platform is fixedly mounted on the outer surface of kiln shell. The air blower and blower motor are mounted on a detachable support which is so constructed that one end of the detachable support can be hooked over one edge of the fixed platform while the opposite end of the detachable support can be latched over the corresponding edge of the platform. The detachable support and the attached air blower and blower motor may be installed on or removed from the fixed platform while the kiln is rotating.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevation view, partially in section, of a rotary kiln embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial section of the rotary kiln of FIG. 1 showing the pyrometer blower mounting arrangement of the invention;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged side elevation view of the detachable mounting arrangement for the pyrometer blower and blower motor;

FIG. 4 is an end view showing the structure of FIG. 3 attached to the kiln shell; and

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4, but showing the detachable blower mounting arrangement in partially assembled position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1, there is shown a rotary kiln generally indicated at 10 comprising a cylindrical kiln shell 12. The kiln 10 is supported for rotation on a foundation 14 which is so constructed as to impart a slight downward inclination to the kiln from the feed end to the discharge end of the kiln. The inclination may be of the order of onequarter inch to five-eighths inch per foot, for example, but may be any desired suitable amount. Rollers 16 mounted on the foundation 14 cooperatively engage riding rings 18 mounted on the kiln shell 12 in any well-known manner for rotation of the shell about the longitudinal axis of the kiln. Appropriate driving means, not shown, may actuate a bevel gear 20 fixed to a shaft 22 which carries a pinion 24 in intermeshing coaction with a ring gear 26 carried by the kiln shell 12 for revolving the kiln. The lower end of the kiln is associated with a firing system 28 which may be either of coal, oil, gas burning or other suitable type for furnishing hot gases. The upper end (the feed end) of the kiln proper is formed to receive a preheater unit 30. The material to be heated in the kiln is supplied to the feed end of the kiln by means of a chute or hopper 32.

As best seen in FIG. 2, the illustrated kiln has ou the inside of the steel shell 12 a refractory lining 34, which has one of several exchangeable pieces 36, preferably of suitable ceramic material. In section 36 of the refractory lining a sight hole 38 is provided which serves as a radiation channel for the radiation pyrometer 40 which is diagrammatically shown as being mounted on the outside of the rotating kiln in a duct 42 which is in pneumatic communication wtih the sight hole 38 and also in pneumatic communication with the demountable blower assembly to be described.

Referring now to FIGS. l, 3-5, the support assembly for the demountable blower and blower motor comprises a platform member generally indicated at 44 which is rigidly attached to the outer surface of the kiln shell 12 by means of four angle members each indicated at 46. The platform 44 in the illustrated embodiment is in the form of rectangular panel of a suitable metal having affixed to the radially outer surface thereof a layer of heat insulating material 48 such as sheet rock asbestos which thermally insulates the elements mounted on the platform panel 44 from the heat of the kiln. In a typical installation, the platform panel 44 might be 24 inches by 24 inches, and one-half inch thick. The layer of insulation 48 would have an area coextensive with that of the platform panel 44 and might have a thickness of one-fourth inch.

An electrical outlet box S having a plug-in receptacle 52 is rigidly fastened in any suitable manner to the outer face of platform panel 44. The electrical input lines 54 and 56 which supply electrical power to the electrical outlet box 50 are respectively connected to slip rings 58 and 60 which are mounted on the outer surface of the kiln shell 12 and rotate with the kiln 10. Electrical power is supplied from an external source to the slip rings 58 and 60 through the respective brushes 62 and 64.

In accordance with an important feature of the invention, a detachable subassembly generally indicated at 66 is provided for detachable connection to the platform panel 44, the detachable subassembly 66 serving as a mount for the combination blower-motor assembly generally indicated at 69.

The subassembly 66 comprises a channel-like member generally indicated at 68 including a web portion 70 and two integral oppositely disposed flange portions 72 and 74 respectively. At the upper end of the channel 68 with respect to the views shown in the drawings, a |"bridging member 76 is rigidly secured, as by welding, to the upper end edges of the channel 68 in bridging relation to the flange portions 72 and 74. Bridging member 76 serves as a support for an angle member generally indicated at 78 including two leg members 80 and 82. The leg 80 is rigidly attached, as by welding, to the radially inner end of the bridging member 76. The leg 82 of the angle member 78 extends in a direction parallel to the lengthwise dimension of channel member 68. The lengths of the legs 80 and 82 are so proportioned as to permit the angle member to be hooked over the upper end edge of the platform panel 44 as will be explained in more detail hereinafter.

At the lower end of the channel member 68, with respect to the views shown in the drawings, an angle member generally indicated at 84 is provided and includes a leg 86 which is rigidly secured, as by welding, to the radially outer surface of the web portion 70 of channel member 68. The angle member 84 includes a leg 88 which extends perpendicularly to the leg 86 and to the web 70 of channel 68. A passage 90 is provided in angle leg 88 to permit passage therethrough of a bolt 92, the head portion of which is welded to the upper surface of angle leg 88.

A latching subassembly generally indicated at 94 is mounted at the lower end of channel 68 and includes a plate member 96 having a passage 98 therethrough to permit sliding movement of plate 96 relative to bolt 92 during the latching step. A bridging plate member 100 is rigidly attached, as by welding, to the lower end of channel 68 in bridging relation to the flange portions 72 and 74 of the channel. A nut 102 is welded to the upper surface of bridging plate 100 interiorly of channel 68, and an elongated bolt 104 extends through a passage in bridging plate member 100 and is threadedly received in the nut 102. An operating handle 106 is provided on the lower or outer end of bolt 104. A soft helical spring member 108 is interposed between the under or outer surface of the slidable plate member 96 and a spring stop member 110 provided on the lower end of bolt 104 contiguous handle 106. It can be seen that the spring 108 tends to bias the slidable plate 96 to a raised position with respect to the views shown in the drawing in which it is in contact of the under surface of leg 88 of the angle member 84.

An angle member generally indicated at 112 includes a leg 114 which is welded or otherwise suitably attached to the radially inner end of the slidable plate 96. Angle 112 also includes a leg 116 which, in the finally assembled position of channel 74, extends lengthwise or vertically with respect to the view shown in FIG. 4, of the drawings. A tapered cam element 118 is rigidly attached as by welding to the radially inner surface of the angle leg 116, the purpose of cam 118, as will be explained hereinafter, and as best seen in FIG. 5, being to facilitate the latching engagement of the angle leg 116 mounted on channel 68 with the lower edge of the platform panel 44.

The combination blower and blower motor unit generally indicated at 69 is mounted by bolts or the like on the web 70 of channel 68, the particular fastening means used being such as to permit easy removal of the blower and blower motor unit 69 from the web 70. A suitable electrical cable or conduit 119, preferably of flexible character, and provided with a plug-in element 120 permits electrical power to be supplied from the plug-in outlet box 52 to the electric motor which forms part of the blower and blower motor combination `69. The air outlet pipe 122 from the blower component of the blower and motor combination 69 is suitably connected by a flexible hose 124 to the air inlet 126 of duct 42 (FIG. 2) in which the pyrometer 40 is located. Hose 124 is detachably connected at one of its ends to the air outlet duct 122 and at its opposite end to the air inlet passage 126 to duct 42, suitable detachable hose clamps or the like being used to provide a secure but detachable connection of the flexible hose to the respective members 122 and 126.

A further feature of the construction is the provision of a pair of rotatable screw members each indicated at 130 and each provided with an operating handle or knob 132. Each screw 130 extends through a nut member 134 welded to a cross member which constitutes in effect a part of lweb 70 of channel 68, and through a passage in cross member 135. A lock nut 136 is also provided on each threaded screw 130 radially outwardly of the nut 134.

The electrical signals from the pyrometer 40 are fed to slip rings 137 and 140, and brushes 142 and 144 respectively engage the slip rings 138 and 140 and conduct the electrical signals from the pyrometer -40 to a suitable control circuit.

SUMMARY OF OPERATION Assuming that it is desired to mount the quick mounting bracket for the pyrometer air blower in position on a kiln which is assumed to be rotating, the following procedure is followed:

The channel assembly 68 with the combination blower and blower motor 69 mounted thereon is hooked into engagement with the upper edge of the rigid platform panel 44, with respect to the view shown in the drawings, by engaging the leg 82 of angle 78 carried by channel 68 with the upper edge portion of platform panel 44. It is assumed that in this phase of the operation the screws 104 and 130 are in a loose, untightened condition.

With the angle 78 engaged with the upper end of platform panel 44 as just described, the lower end of the channel 68 is swung toward the lower end of the platform panel 44 to cause the cam portion 118 to bear against the forward or radially outer edge of the lower end of the insulating panel 48, as best seen in FIG. 5 of the drawings. At this time, the spring 108 is relatively loose, although it is in the assembled condition shown in FIG. 5 of the drawings. As best seen in FIG. 5, cam 118 slides past the lower edge of the insulating panel 48 and past the lower edge of the platform panel 44, spring 108 yielding to permit downward movement of plate 96. Leg 116 of the angle 112 slips past the lower edges of panels 48 and 44 and into the latched position shown in FIG. 4 of the drawings. After the angle member 112 has slipped into the latched position just described, the screw 104 is tightened up by rotation of operating handle '6 to compress spring 108 and thereby force plate 96 tightly against the under surface of leg 88 of angle 84 and against the under surface of bridging plate 100. A nut is then tightened onto the lower end of bolt 92. Also screws 130 are tightened by means of their respective operating handles 132 to draw the respective members 78 and 112 up tightly against the radially inner surface of the platform panel 44, and the lock nuts 136 are tightened on the respective screws 130. The operations just described, including the hooking of the upper end of the channel 68 onto the upper end of the platform panel 44 and the latching of the lower end of the channel 68 onto the lower edge of the 'platform panel 44, as well as the tightening operations, may all be accomplished while the kiln is rotating at its usual relatively slow rate of rotation. The hooking operation at the upper end of the platform panel 44 and the latching operation at the lower end of the platform panel 44 may for example occur during one revolution of the kiln while the final tightening operations on the screws 104 and 130 may take place on a subsequent revolution of the kiln. The electric plug 120 is plugged into the receptacle 52 and the flexible air hose 124 is connected to the air inlet 126 and air outlet 122.

The foregoing is a description of the manner of positioning a channel assembly 68 with attached blower and blower motor assembly 69 onto the platform panel 44. It will be obvious that the channel assembly 68 with assembly 69 mounted thereon may be removed from the platform panel by merely reversing the operation just described.

It is obvious from the foregoing description that the quick detachable mounting of the blower and blower motor combination has great utility since it permits the blower and blower motor combination to be removed easily for repair or replacement without interruptingthe operation of the kiln, since the positioning and/or removal of the channel assembly 68 on which the blower and blower motor combination is mounted may be accomplished while the kiln is in operation and without interrupting the operation of the kiln.

While there has been shown and described a particular embodiment of the invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the invention, and therefore, it is aimed to cover all such changes and modifications as fall Within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. In combination, a rotary kiln through `which a material passes while being heated to elevated temperature, means forming a passage through the wall of the kiln, a pyrometer mounted on the outside of the kiln for rotation therewith and aligned with said passage to receive radiation from the kiln interior through said passage, air projecting means for projecting an air stream through said passage into the kiln, and means detachably mounting said air projecting means on said kiln comprising a first support means mounted on an exterior portion of said kiln, a second support means detachably connected to said first support means, said air projecting means being mounted on said second support means, cooperating means on said first and on said second support means contiguous a first pair of corresponding ends thereof defining a detachable connection between said first and said second support means, cooperating means on said first and on said second support means contiguous a second pair of corresponding ends thereof defining a second detachable connection between said first and said second support means, and cam means associated with at least one of said support means and engageable with the other of said support means to facilitate the completion of sai-d second detachable connection.

2. The combination defined in claim 1 in which at least one of said detachable connections is a hooked connection.

3. The combination defined in claim 1 in which the cooperating means at at least one of said pairs of corresponding ends includes a yieldable detachable connection means which is movable into latched engagement with one of said support means.

4. The combination defined in claim 1 including detachable duct means connecting said blower to said passage.

5. In combination, a rotary kiln through which a material passes while being heated to elevated temperature, means forming a passage through the wall of the kiln, a pyrometer mounted on the outside of the kiln for rotation therewith and aligned with said passage to receive radiation from the kiln interior through said passage, air projecting means for projecting an air stream through said passage into the kiln, and means detachably mounting said air' projecting means on said kiln comprising a first support means mounted on an exterior portion of said kiln and comprising a platform, a second support means detachably connected to said first support means, said air projecting means being mounted on said second support means, a first member fixed to said second support means, said first member being adapted to engage an edge of said platform in hooklike engagement therewith, a second member yieldably connected to said second support means, said second member being adapted to engage an opposite edge of said platform in latching engagement therewith.

6. The combination defined in claim 5 including cam means mounted on said second member and engageable with said opposite edge of said platform to facilitate engagement of said second member with said opposite edge.

References Cited LOUIS R. PRINCE, Primary Examiner D. E. CORR, Assistant Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 73-355 

